Epic RV Trip -- entering EST -->GA, SC, NC

**TUE 6/4  DRIVE 410 miles Eastern Time Zone -->Atlanta, GA --> SC --> Charlotte, NC  

We made our way north today, fixing our clocks and watches to Eastern Time (EST).  Our first stop was in Atlanta to see the Capitol and stretch our legs.  We discovered that Carter has his Presidential Library here, so we took advantage of their RV/bus parking.  We unhitched and drove to the capitol and counted 100 steps. Then made a quick stop for lunch on our way back.

The kids learned more about the office of the presidency today.

Carter was the 39th president and inaugurated the year I was born.  He was president during the energy crisis (gas shortages), helped negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt, and negotiated a Panama Canal contract.

His dad was a peanut farmer in Georgia, so his presidential campaign was nicknamed the "Peanut Brigade." His legacy is "Peace for the World."  He and his wife worked to promote peace around the world.  It was interesting that they actually did a lot in the realm of disease prevention because they observed that peace and freedom happen where places are free of disease and illness.  The biggest take away I hope my kids remember is that it doesn't take a government to make change--one person can lead change.

Addisyn used this picture as inspiration for schoolwork--

she did a close-read of it and translated the preamble in her own words.

By the time we arrived at camp, it was close to 9pm.  We enjoyed the fireflies lighting up the side of the road.  We like this campground; Carowinds has open space between each site and trees and feels peaceful.  Aside from being adjacent to an amusement park we aren't going to, the kids liked it too.  It was big enough for riding bikes, but they have requested we don't taunt them by staying at a place with an amusement park anymore. 


**WED 6/5  School day
When the weather cooperates, doing school at the picnic table is nice.  Today Addisyn was on top of her work, and it was so awesome of her to help me help Marissa with her math pages.  Marissa thought it was fun to sit on her bike like a desk.

Chris had class at 5pm EST, so at a quarter-till I took off with two kids to the car wash, library, and a quick Target stop.   Addisyn was great helping me figure out how to get the gas can off the back of the Jeep, and she and Marissa helped dust and vacuum the Jeep.  I let Piper stay back this time since she went with me the last couple of times.  It helps breaking the kids up sometimes so they get a little break from each other.

We used the crock pot for the first time today and it was so nice!  We couldn't eat till 8pm so towards the end of his class, Chris microwaved potatoes.  Adding tortillas, cheese, 90 sec rice, and the crock pot chicken, we had a wonderfully aromatic, yummy, filling, and fast meal!

**THUR 6/6  Wait around for each other to finish what they're doing so we can go do something day.
Does the title of today give you a feel for how we were feeling today?  It was a slow day.  And frustrating.  Chris isn't as used to it as me, so it took a few extra slow breaths to handle it.  Today was supposed to be go do something simple and fun day. 

We finally made it to "Funtastics" (a run-down Family Fun Center).  We played mini golf, arcades, and go karts was a close as we got to a NASCAR North Carolina experience.

We stayed "where the Carolinas come together".  We were literally less than a half mile from the border.  Kids thought it was funny that we kept driving back and forth across states lines on our outings.

We noticed "First in Flight" on the NC license plates -- we won't get to the corresponding Wright Brothers landmark ... it's on the coast... figure they would rather water than land crash when learning to fly.


We enjoyed fresh peaches.  State fruit of both Georgia and South Carolina is the peach. 

On the road again....  Chris did all the driving today in the wet weather.